Economist and University of Ghana professor, Godfred Bokpin, has criticised African leaders for impressing global audiences with eloquent speeches while failing to implement meaningful reforms at home.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday, October 1, Prof. Bokpin said African nations are quick to champion reforms of international organisations at events like the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), yet are unable to demonstrate practical reforms within their own countries.

“We are happy to show up at the UN and make positions on how we can reform international organisations, but we are unable to demonstrate to the world how these can be done from within,” he argued.

He described it as “sad” that African leaders deliver powerful statements abroad but struggle to translate those lofty words into tangible action for their citizens.

“We are happy to deliver wonderful speeches at the UN and all of that. We come home, and the people of the Central Region are not sure where clean water is going to come from. This is failure, this is a disaster. We should be apologising to the world,” he said.

His comments follow widespread praise for speeches delivered by African leaders during the recently concluded 80th UN General Assembly held in New York from September 23 to 29.

Prof. Bokpin stressed that without bold domestic reforms to improve the lives of ordinary citizens, international acclaim amounts to little more than empty rhetoric.